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Searching for Speed

Have power to spare on your roster and looking to enhance your potential in the stolen base department? Lets take some time to look over some options that should be on your radar. These three players are most likely sporting a very low price tag in your league. For most cases, a simple waiver wire transaction should place them on your lineup in the very near future.

Eric Young Jr. (OF,NYM) - After bouncing in and out of the starting lineup for the Rockies over the last 4+ seasons, Young was dealt to New York on June 18. The Mets easily made room in their lackluster outfield for the speedy 28 year old. Stepping right into the leadoff role, he has not disappointed the fans or front office at Citi Field. Young has put up a solid .357 OBP and swiped 14 bags through 35 games since the trade.

Jonathan Villar (SS,HOU) - Posting a .277/.341/.442 batting line with 32 extra base hits and 31 stolen bases at AAA Oklahoma City, Villar forced the Astros hand to bring him to the bigs and place him atop the lineup. The Dominican native has already picked up five steals through just eight games. The most impressive of those came July 30th with a steal of home. With an average of nearly 40 stolen bases per year from 2010-12, the speed potential is at an elite level for the young shortstop.

David Lough (OF,KCR) - Yes, he has already been at the plate over 200 times this season and only manged two stolen bases. Yes, he has been batting from the middle to back end of the Royal lineup. However, it seems possible that Lough will move up Ned Yost's batting order if he continues to hit around the .291 clip shown to this point. If that happens, the 27 year old rookie should have a better chance to display the minor league form that saw him average 18 steals per season from 2009-2012.